Guide for coiling lengths of non-rigid material

ABSTRACT

A guide to coil a length of material can have a plurality of segments in a sequence, where each segment includes a passage to partially contain the length of material and opposing ends. A plurality of flexible links/connecting devices joins each of the plurality segments. Further, a slope is disposed on at least one of the opposing ends of the plurality of segments configured to contact an end of a sequential segment. The guide can have an uncoiled state where the slopes of sequential segments are not in contact with each other. Also it can have a fully coiled state where the slopes of sequential segments are in contact with each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a guide, sheath or housing, constructed of several interconnected segments that, when activated, consistently takes a pre-determined shape and configures the length of non-rigid material to do the same.

BACKGROUND

The number and types of electronic devices that are commercially available have increased tremendously the past few years, and this increase shows no signs of abating. Many of these devices have headphones, earphones, earbuds, or other wires that are required to fully enjoy the device. One notable problem with these wires is the tendency to become both tangled and knotted when they are not in use. Consumers spend millions of person-hours each year untangling and unknotting their electronic device headphone wires.

What is needed is a simple and economic means to coil the wire when not in use. The coil can take a predetermined shape and can be simple to wind and unwind.

SUMMARY

Examples of the present invention include a guide to coil a length of material. The guide has a plurality of segments in a sequence, where each segment includes a passage to partially contain the length of material and opposing ends. A plurality of flexible links joins each of the plurality segments. Further, a slope is disposed on at least one of the opposing ends of the plurality of segments configured to contact an end of a sequential segment. The guide can have an uncoiled state where the slopes of sequential segments are not in contact with each other. Also it can have a fully coiled state where the slopes of sequential segments are in contact with each other. Additionally, there can be partially coiled configurations where portions of the slope are in contact or are in closer proximity than if two segments were in a linear configuration. Note that the slope on any one segment can be equal or unequal to the slope on another segment.

In examples, the passage allows the length of material to freely move within the passage. Alternately, the segments can further include a gap permitting the length of material to enter and exit the passage. Also, other notches, cuts, and gaps can be put in the segments in order to aid them in managing the material more expeditiously. For example, certain notches can be made in segments that will help the material to straighten more effectively while still enabling it to be shaped as needed upon the compression of the segments.

Yet further examples include a stay removably disposed to prevent movement of the length of material relative to the passage. The stay can be disposed on the length of material or on one of the plurality of segments. Furthermore, a line can be disposed along the plurality of segments, and applying a tension to the line moves the ends into contact. Also, the material to be coiled can be disposed along the plurality of the outside of the segments and “come along” with the segments as they are compressed by the line to take the desired shape. The line can be external or internal to the segments.

An example of a method of coiling the material includes disposing the guide on the length of material and providing a slope (formed by an angle or the difference in length between the long side and the short side) on at least one end of the segments. The guide can be displaced along a length of the material until the slopes of the sequential segments come into contact. Displacing the guide coils the length of material. In reversing the process, returning the sequential segments to a position where the slopes do not contact each other, the length of material is uncoiled based on returning the segments to an approximately linear configuration.

In another example of the method, the length of material can be passed through the gap in the plurality of segments. Additionally, movement of the guide relative to the length of material can be prevented to retain the material in the coiled position. Further, the line can be provided along the plurality of segments and displacing the guide can include tensioning the line.

In a further example of a self-coiling device, there can be the length of material and the plurality of segments in a sequence. The sequential segments are lined along the material similar to configuration of FIG. 1. Each segment can have the passage to partially contain the length of material. Typically the lack of coverage is in the void formed by the slope. The segments can have the long side and the short side opposite the long side and the slope can be formed from a difference in length between the long side and the short side. The flexible links can join each of the plurality segments. To coil the material, the slope of each of the plurality of segments can be configured to contact the slope of the sequential segment, removing the void noted above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention is described with particularity in the appended claims. The above and further aspects of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a length of material with an example of a guide of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a length of material coiled by an example of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a short side view of an example of a sheath segment;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a sheath segment;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are examples of different sheath segments for guides;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the material and segments in the uncoiled and coiled positions, respectively; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of methods of coiling material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

An example of the invention is described herein below with reference to the Figures.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an example of a length of non-rigid material 100 partially enclosed in a guide 200, which assists in coiling the length of non-rigid material 100. The non-rigid material 100 can be wire, rope, tubing, cable, hose, etc. The non-rigid material 100 can have any diameter or gauge. The term “non-rigid” as used herein describes a property where the length of material can have some stiffness but typically has less rigidness than the guide material. One example can be that the material does not retain a particular shape when bent or coiled. The term can further include, in further examples, flexible wiring that retains a particular shape when coiled. For example, a hose can be particularly stiff but not coil easily.

The guide 200 can include sheath segments 202 which enclose a substantial portion of the non-rigid material 100. These sheaths can be straight or curved, depending on what will best accommodate the particular application. The sheath segments 202 can be rigid or semi-flexible and can act as a secondary covering, in an example with a hose, or the primary insulating covering, as in an example of a headphone wire. Each segment 202 can be separate and then connected together by a connecting device 204. The connecting device, in this example can be a flexible link 204, which can be flexible enough to allow the length of non-rigid material 100 to extend to it full length and bend as needed during use. The flexible link 204 can made of the same material as the sheath segments 202 or a different material with differing strength and elastic properties. Further, the flexible link 204 may be reinforced to withstand the additional stresses (in bending and torsion) during use.

FIG. 2 illustrates the guide 200 and the length of non-rigid material 100 in a coiled position. Here the sheath segments 202 are compressed together along the flexible links 204. FIG. 3 illustrates two sheath segments 202 connected by the flexible links 204. The sheath segments 202 contain a passage 206 to allow the length of non-rigid material 100 to be disposed inside the segment 202. The length of non-rigid material 100 can be manufactured with the guide 200 disposed around it. When ends (not illustrated) are disposed on the length of non-rigid material 100 the guide 200 can be fixed in place. For example, headphones have a male audio jack on one end and the actual ear buds on the other and certain hoses have nozzles or hose fittings on the ends.

In one example, diameter 208 of the passage 206 is just larger than a diameter D of the length of non-rigid material 100. Thus, the guide 200 remains on the length of non-rigid material 100 after the ends are fixed during manufacture. In another example, the segment 202 can include a gap 210 to allow the length of non-rigid material 100 to pass through and into the passage 206. In one example, the gap 210 can be a split in one portion of segment 202 that can be deformed to allow the material 100 to pass and then regain shape to prevent the material 100 from exiting the passage 206. In this way an existing length of material 100 can be “retrofitted” with a guide 200 without passing over the ends of the material (e.g., the guide can be fitted over an existing set of headphone wires). The passage 206 can be sized to remain in contact with the material 100, have a space between the passage 206 and the material 100 or be large enough to fit over the ends of the material 100. See FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the sheath segment 202. The segment has a long side 212 and a short side 214. One or both ends 216 can be shaped so they slope from the long side 212 to the short side 214, typically by an angle X. In one example, the angle X can be equal on both ends of the segment 202, or one end can have a different angle. In another example, the flexible links 204 join to the segment along the long side 212. In addition, there can be other angles along other axes which also move the material along other dimensions, such as to form the concentric circles in FIG. 2. Further, as noted above, the guide 200 can act as an insulator for the length of material 100. A thin inner covering 217 can be formed to cover any of the length of material 100 exposed because of the height differential on the short side 214. The inner covering 217 can be formed along the passage 206 and not interfere with the end of the segments moving into and out of contact, as described below.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of a guide 300 where segment 302 has a line 318 running along a short side 314. This line 318 can be used in lieu of the flexible links as the connecting device noted above. Further the flexible links (on a long side) and line (on a short side) can be used together. In one example, one or more lines 318 can “string together” the segments along the length of material 100 like pearls on a necklace. The lines can be used to maintain the orientation of the segments 302, even if they are not connected by flexible links. Thus, when the line 318 is placed in tension and the segments 302 begin to move together, they can be oriented correctly so that their slopes meet. In another example, the line 318 can also run along the long side 212 with flexible links connecting the short side 214.

Next is described how an example of the invention “winds” the length of non-rigid material 100. The guide 200 is typically the length of the material 100 and the material 100 can slide through the passage 206. A user applies pressure to one or more of the segments 202, forcing them toward each other. As the segments 200 approach each other they move out of a linear relationship so the ends 216 of sequential segments 202 come into contact. The segments 202 compress together along the flexible links 204 because of the slope at the end 216 which is caused by the angle X. This movement begins to coil the material 100. The “tightness” and/or shape of the coil can be a function of the angle X. FIG. 2 illustrates these angular cuts as each segment 202 acts as a line along a curve of the spiral formed by the coil of material 100.

FIG. 7A illustrates the sheath segments 202 in the straight, uncompressed or uncoiled state and FIG. 7B illustrates the two segments in contact along their ends 216 and now out of linear position. A length L of the segment 202 (illustrated along the long side 212, but can also be taken along the short side 214) can also contribute to the overall size of the coil. Shorter segments 202 may result in smaller, more circular, coils, while a larger length L may result in a larger diameter coil. In other examples, both the angle X and the length L can contribute to the overall size and shape of the coils. For example, you can have a larger diameter coil made up of very small segments—in this case it is the segment angles that determine the diameter. The sheaths 202 can be likened to sections of lines forming a circular shape. Further examples can configure the length L and the angle X to form shapes similar to multisided polygons, like pentagons and octagons, along with other shapes such as that of an “S” or a helix.

The pressure can be applied by pushing the guide 200 against an end of the material 100 or pulling on the material while keeping the guide 200 fixed relative to its motion. Both have the effect of moving the material 100 inside the passage 206, moving the segments 202 closer together until they bend at the flexible links 204. In another example, the line 318 can be placed in tension which can also have the effect of forcing the segments closer together.

Note that the figures and explanation describe the sloping of the ends 216 in two-dimensions. The ends 216 can be shaped in three dimensions so an angle can be changed in the plane of the page or any place along the perimeter of the end 216. In this example, the coil can form particular shapes both along the length of the material and through at least a second axis not parallel to the length of material. The flexible links 204 then can also experience torsion forces as well a bending forces.

In other examples, a stay 218 is present either on the last segment 202 of the guide 200 or on the material 100. The stay 218 can keep the segments 202 from moving relative to the material 100 once the material is in the coiled, uncoiled, or partially coiled position. The stay 218 can be spring or otherwise loaded to allow it to be fixed and then moved along the material once the load is displaced. Further, the stay 218 can be a portion of a segment 202 that has a high friction portion 220 that does not allow the material 100 to easily move through the passage 206 or prevents movement until the high-friction portion is displaced.

The method of coiling a length of material is set forth in Figure in 8. An example of the method includes disposing the guide 200 on the length of material 100 (step 800) and providing a slope 222 (formed by angle X or the difference in length between the long side 212 and the short side 214) on at least one end 216 of the segments 202 (Step 802). The guide 200 can be displaced along a length of the material 100 until the slopes 222 of the sequential segments 202 come into contact (Step 804). Displacing the guide 200 coils the length of material 100 (Step 806). In reversing the process, returning the sequential segments 202 to a position where the slopes 222 do not contact each other (Step 808), the length of material 100 is uncoiled based on returning the segments to an approximately linear configuration (Step 810).

In another example of the method, the length of material 100 can be passed through the gap 210 in the plurality of segments 202 (Step 812). Additionally, movement of the guide relative to the length of material can be prevented to retain the material in the coiled position (Step 814). Further, the line 318 can be provided along the plurality of segments 302 (Step 816) and displacing the guide 300 can include tensioning the line (Step 818).

In a further example of a self-coiling device, there can be the length of material 100 and the plurality of segments 202 in a sequence. The sequential segments 202 are lined along the material 100 similar to configuration of FIG. 1. Each segment 202 can have the passage 206 to partially contain the length of material 100. The partial coverage of the material 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7A, typically the lack of coverage is in the void formed by the slope 222. The segments can have the long side 212 and the short side 214 opposite the long side 212 and the slope 222 can be formed from a difference in length between the long side 212 and the short side 214. The flexible links 204 can join each of the plurality segments 202. To coil the material, the slope 222 of each of the plurality of segments 202 can be configured to contact the slope 222 of the sequential segment 202, removing the void noted above.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings. 

We claim:
 1. A guide to coil a length of material, comprising: a plurality of segments in a sequence, wherein each segment comprises: a passage to partially contain the length of material; and opposing ends; at least one connecting device linking each of the plurality segments; and a slope disposed on at least one of the opposing ends of the plurality of segments configured to contact an end of a sequential segment.
 2. The guide of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises: an uncoiled state wherein the slopes of sequential segments are not in contact with each other; and a fully coiled state wherein the slopes of sequential segments are in contact with each other.
 3. The guide of claim 1, wherein the passage allows the length of material to freely move within the passage.
 4. The guide of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments further comprise: a gap permitting the length of material to enter and exit the passage.
 5. The guide of claim 1, further comprising: a stay removably disposed to prevent movement of the length of material relative to the passage.
 6. The guide of claim 5, wherein the stay is disposed on at least one of the length of material, a line disposed along the plurality of the segments, and one of the plurality of segments.
 7. The guide of claim 1, wherein the connecting device comprises a plurality of flexible links.
 8. The guide of claim 1, wherein the slope on any one segment is equal to the slope on another segment.
 9. The guide of claim 1, wherein the slope on any one segment is unequal to the slope on another segment.
 10. The guide of claim 1, wherein the connecting device comprises: a line disposed along the plurality of segments, wherein applying a tension to the line moves the ends into contact.
 11. A method of coiling a length of material, comprising the step of: disposing a guide on the length of material having a plurality of sequential segments interconnected by a connecting device; providing a slope on an end of more than one of the plurality of segments; displacing the guide along the length of the material until the slopes of the sequential segments come into contact; and coiling the length of material based on the displacing step.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: returning the sequential segments to a position where the slopes are not in contact; and uncoiling the length of material based on the returning step.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the disposing step comprises: passing the length of material through a gap in the plurality of segments.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: after the coiling step, preventing movement of the guide relative to the length of material.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting device comprises a line along the plurality of segments, wherein the displacing step comprises the step of tensioning the line.
 16. A self-coiling device, comprising: a length of material a plurality of segments in a sequence, wherein each segment comprises: a passage partially containing the length of material; a long side; a short side opposite the long side; and a slope formed from a difference in length between the long side and the short side; and a plurality of connecting devices joining each of the plurality segments; wherein the slope of each of the plurality of segments is configured to contact the slope of a sequential segment.
 17. The self coiling device of claim 16, wherein the connecting devices comprise flexible links joining the plurality of segments along the long sides.
 18. The self coiling device of claim 16, wherein the connecting devices comprise: a line disposed along the plurality of segments, wherein applying a tension to the line moves the slopes into contact. 